MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte might consider suspending operations of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in light of crimes allegedly involving Chinese workers.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that mounting allegations of corruption, money laundering, and sex trafficking, among other issues, may lead Duterte to order POGO operations to temporary halt.
“The President, if you remember, suspended operations of lotteries when he received certain complaints of anomalies. Kung talagang grabe na ang complaints, may gagawin si Presidente diyan,” Panelo said in a press conference on Thursday.
“But I have yet to consult the President if it’s an option,” he added. “What is important is we respond to whatever allegations of corruption or practice, we prosecute them.”
Sen. Richard Gordon has earlier said that Philippines’ close ties with China under the Duterte administration has paved the way for the entry of “dirty money” in the Philippines.
He added that authorities, under Duterte’s leadership, has become “too soft” on China and its citizens’ misdemeanors.
Meanwhile, opposition senator Franklin Drilon slammed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) following its supposed remark that POGO should be allowed to continue to operate because of the income the country earns from the industry.
During Thursday’s hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee on the alleged money laundering, crimes, and other nefarious activities associated with Pogos, the Ilonggo senator said that the remark as a “short range statement.”
“I am disappointed at the statement today of PAGCOR, saying that we are in favor of POGO continuing because of the income earned. That is a short range statement,” Drilon said.
“The social problems that Pogo has brought to our country is not worth it. Let me tell you that to your face. For P8 billion from fees that you get, you are saying that they should be here?” he added.
“That statement, I must say, is such as stupid statement. Basta pera pumasok, lahat na, all these things we can tolerate,” he said. “It is common knowledge that what we generate from Pagcor is nothing compared to the social problems that occur because of this.”/PN
